Queiroz Turns to Ronaldo to Keep Portugal's World Cup Dream Alive

Carlos Queiroz faces a must-win game as he prepares to take his Portugal side to Tirana to face Albania in a World Cup Qualifier. Portugal’s position in Group 1 is dire; they have recorded just one win and have a paltry six points to show from their five games.

The Portugal boss know that a repeat of the performance or result from the two nations' last meeting would most likely leave him hanging onto his position as national manager by a thread.

Albania visited Braga to take on Portugal last October and left with a 0-0 draw, despite playing over half of the match with 10 men after having a man sent off towards the end of the first half.

The match will be the first for Albania’s yet-to-be-named new manager after the resignation of former Dutch international Ari Haan last month.

Albania are currently ranked 92nd in the FIFA World Rankings and anything other than a win will be deemed an embarrassment too far for the "Federação Portuguesa de Futebol" (Portuguese Football Federation).

Queiroz will be keen for national captain and World Footballer of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, to regain his international form as Portugal have failed to find the net in each of their last three World Cup Qualifiers. Failure to do so again would perhaps fatally wound their hopes of reaching South Africa next summer.

Elsewhere in Group 1, Sweden take on Denmark in a huge clash in Solna. Sweden currently trail group leaders Denmark by seven points, albeit with a game in hand, and recognise that they must beat their Scandinavian rivals on Saturday if they are to have any chance of topping the group.

Sweden host Malta four days later in Gothenburg in a match which wraps up Group 1 for the current season.

Denmark have impressed greatly so far, racking up four wins out of five, including a 3-2 success in Lisbon. However, despite their current strong position, defeat in Sweden coupled with a victory for Portugal in Albania would throw the group wide open, with more key qualifiers to come in September and October.

However, Danish coach Morten Olsen will be unable to call on Martin Lauren for the key match in Sweden after the veteran defender announced his retirement from football due to persistent injury problems.

Laursen is only 31 and won 53 caps for Denmark, appearing in the first three qualifiers of this campaign, and his absence will come as a huge blow for Olsen.

Group 1

Denmark   5   13

Hungary    6   13

Portugal    5    6

Sweden    4    6

Albania     7    6

Malta        7    1

Group 1 Fixtures

Sat 6 June Sweden vs. Denmark, Solna

Sat 6 June Albania vs. Portugal, Tirana

Wed 10 June Sweden vs. Malta, Gothenburg